St Anselm Handmaidens of God: A Study of Anselm's Correspondence with Women: 7 (Utrecht studies in medieval literacy) - Hardcover

VAUGHN

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 2503513379 ISBN 13: 9782503513379

Publisher: Brepols N.V., 2003

Synopsis

As abbot of Bec and archbishop of Canterbury, the renowned theologian St. Anselm spent most of his career working 'in the world', primarily with laypersons, not in the cloister. His correspondence contains surprisingly many letters to laywomen, only a few perfunctory letters to nuns and abbesses. Anselm wrote to all estates of noble laywomen: young girls, mothers, mature wives or widows, countesses and queens. Vaughn argues that Anselm collected and edited his own letters, which addressed real women and situations, but also represented particular ideals of women, marriage, parents and children, students and teachers; that the correspondence, an artful construct, was almost an autobiography, teaching by word, deed, and his own example; and a lens through which to discern Anselm's views of men and women in Anselm's ideal society. Anselm accords women surprising equality and power, seeing queens as equal to both kings and archbishops, all three primarily as nurturers and teachers, and ideal married couples writ large - social views modelled on past ideals (primarily St. Gregory), but ironically leaping toward new Twelfth Century attitudes of introspection, self-analysis, individualism, and logic and reason in theology, social issues, politics and law. Mothers and teachers emerge as the ultimate Handmaidens of God.

About this title

Synopsis

This is not a women's history, warns Vaughn (history, U. of Houston), but an account of how Anselm (1033-1109), abbot of Bec and archbishop of Canterbury, wrote extensively to women of all stations, but particularly those well placed in power. She also investigates his collection of his own correspondence, and the implications for historians of his

Edition details

• Publisher: Brepols N.V.
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 2503513379
• ISBN 13: 9782503513379
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 336